This paper begins to identify the impact of dryland salinity on the performance and longevity of the road asset, and highlights a need to increase awareness amongst road managers about the extent of dryland salinity and the potential for accelerated impacts in the future. Throughout many areas of Australia it will not be possible to reverse the rising trend in the watertable and reduce salinity. In most cases, living with and adapting to salinity will be the only feasible strategy for road agencies. Some insight into how high water tables and salinity are presently affecting road assets in Australia is presented along with an explanation of the apparent mechanisms associated with groundwater entering road formations. These impacts may require changes to the way roads are designed, constructed and maintained, to ensure an acceptable service life is achieved. This will mean overall cost increases in the management of road assets in some regions. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E208431.
Samenvatting